American author Joy Williams: ‘The comfy story has got to change’

The novelist and short story writer on her new book about Azrael, the angel of death, her encounters with Raymond Carver and Richard Yates, and why fiction should be uncannyJoy Williams, 80, has written five novels and four story collections and is the recipient of numerous awards. Her most recent book of short stories, Concerning the Future of Souls: 99 Stories of Azrael (Tuskar Rock), was published earlier this year. Her work ranges from the philosophical examination of being, belief and morality to urgent engagements with environmental catastrophe; James Salter wrote of her that she belongs in the company of Céline and Flannery O’Connor. Born in Massachusetts, she now lives in the Sonoran desert.An earlier collection of yours was called 99 Stories of God, and now you’ve moved on to Azrael (the angel of death and transporter of souls) as the subject. What drew you to him?I read in a WS Merwin collection his translation of Hadrian’s deathbed poem to his soul – Animula vagula blandula – so sorrowful and succinct. The soul, a worthy subject. And Azrael has always fascinated me: he was death, but not death exactly. He was more a gorgeous creation of Islam. I picture him as responsible for all the souls of this ensouled Earth. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2024-10-19 17:00:20 UTC ]
News tagged with: #uncannyjoy williams #story collections #numerous awards #published earlier #work ranges #philosophical examination #urgent engagements #environmental catastrophe #sonoran desert #earlier collection #ve moved #deathbed poem #gorgeous creation #ensouled earth #recent book

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Australian author sees similar plot to his in trailer for new Danny Boyle film

The upcoming movie Yesterday bears resemblance to Nick Milligan’s novel EnormityWhen Nick Milligan decided to self-publish his speculative fiction novel, Enormity, he knew it was going to be a hard slog to find an audience. But seeing a similar plot play out in the trailer for Danny Boyle’s new... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-02-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Maddow To Host BookExpo Adult Author Breakfast

MSNBC TV's Rachel Maddow will host the BookExpo 2019 Adult Author Breakfast panel, which will feature bestselling authors Ta-Nehisi Coates, Malcolm Gladwell, Marjorie Liu, and Karin Slaughter. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-02-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Q&A: Karen Bender on her short stories that confront hot-button issues

Some writers turn to fiction as a way to escape the nonstop onslaught of (mostly bad) news that Americans are subjected to constantly these days. Karen E. Bender, the novelist and short story writer, is not that kind of writer. Bender’s new short story collection, “The New Order,” takes on a host... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-02-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Small Island author Andrea Levy dies, aged 62

Andrea Levy, writer of bestselling Windrush generation novel Small Island (Headline), has died from cancer at the age of 62, with the publishing community paying tribute to how she "reshaped the literary world". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Beacon Nabs New Book by Its Fastest-Selling Author

Beacon Press has announced plans to release a new work by Robin DiAngelo, whose 2018 book 'White Fragility' has become the fastest-selling book in the house's history. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-02-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publisher, Author Groups Protest Library Book Scanning Program

More than 36 organizations from around the world have spoken out against a library book scanning program known as "controlled digital lending," dubbing the practice "systematic infringement." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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She saw the world to come: ‘Future Shock’ co-author Heidi Toffler dies at 89

The Digital Age was still off in the distance when “Future Shock” arrived in America’s bookstores, offering readers a sobering forecast of a future where change and information would be arriving at such a dizzying pace that humankind would be overwhelmed. As the book became a global bestseller... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Graphic novel wins Society of Authors Translation Prize for first time

A graphic novel has won an award for the first time at the Society of Authors’ Translation Prize ceremony. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Germany’s Guest of Honor Program Opens in Taipei: ‘German Stories,’ Warm Relations

The 'German Stories' theme goes live at at Germany's Guest of Honor program during the 2019 Taipei International Book Exhibition. The post Germany’s Guest of Honor Program Opens in Taipei: ‘German Stories,’ Warm Relations appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Daunt scoops Shapiro's 'genetic detective story' memoir at auction

Daunt Books has acquired a real-life “genetic detective story” by Dani Shapiro, stemming from the writer’s discovery her father was not her biological parent. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bush Sisters to Co-host Children’s Book & Author Breakfast

The May 31 BookExpo breakfast will feature Lupita Nyong’o, author of 'Sulwe;' Tomi Adeyemi, author of 'Children of Virtue and Vengeance;' Eoin Colfer, author of 'The Fowl Twins;' and Da Chen, author of 'Girl Under a Red Moon.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hannah Beckerman | 'Those repressed stories will always find their way out'

The new novel by Hannah Beckerman traces the impact of a family secret upon three generations of women. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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African American children’s books take centre stage at Bologna

Books by African American authors, the role of women in children’s literature and publishing for toddlers are amongst the themes of this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bologna Announces 2019 Themes: Women, African-American Culture, Handwriting

With programming on African-American culture, women’s achievement, and a resurgence of handwriting, Bologna Book Fair plans an ambitious first look at its physical renovations, too. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson A New 33,000 Square Meters Added n its 56th edition, the... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Cressida Cowell backs call to share a story for World Book Day

Author Cressida Cowell is backing Book Aid International calls for schools to share a story and change a life on World Book Day. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Has Spotify just changed podcasting forever? Podcasts of the week

In a game-changing move, the streaming giant just bought Homecoming creators Gimlet. Plus: the pod going behind the scenes at the Mueller probeIn what is comfortably the biggest deal in the history of podcasting to date, streaming giant Spotify has bought Gimlet Media, the company behind series... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-02-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Audible brings A.S. Byatt novels and stories to audio for first time

Audible is bringing the novels and short stories of A.S. Byatt to audio for the first time this month. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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CPI William Clowes workers to strike for fourth time in pay dispute

Workers at print firm CPI William Clowes are taking strike action for the fourth time in a dispute over pay. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How books by women changed the world

The feminist publishing company Virago Press was set up by Carmen Callil in the 1970s Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2019-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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US Publishers Slam ‘CDL’ as ‘Systematic Infringement’ as UK Authors Write to Foundations

In a growing controversy over the Internet Archive's handling of copyrighted material, the Association of American Publishers joins complaints from authors' organizations. The post US Publishers Slam ‘CDL’ as ‘Systematic Infringement’ as UK Authors Write to Foundations appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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